Coeur d’Alene police are taking a fresh look at a sexual assault case from 2020 following the arrest of a former local tattoo studio operator on similar charges in Colorado. Daniel Hansen, 63, also known by the names Daemon Cusco and Popeye, was taken into custody by authorities in Mesa County, Colorado on sexual assault charges.
Original Case Could Not Be Substantiated
When the initial allegation surfaced in 2020, Coeur d’Alene investigators were unable to gather enough evidence to move the case forward. Hansen’s subsequent arrest in Colorado has given detectives reason to revisit that earlier complaint. Investigators are now working alongside the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office as they re-examine the original case.
Investigators Believe Additional Victims May Exist in North Idaho
Authorities have indicated they believe there may be additional victims connected to Hansen within the North Idaho community. Hansen had operated a tattoo studio in Coeur d’Alene, giving him regular contact with members of the public in the area.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Coeur d’Alene Police Department. Law enforcement cases involving repeat offenders across state lines underscore the importance of inter-agency cooperation — a dynamic familiar to Kootenai County residents following other notable prosecutions in the region, such as a Kootenai County man sentenced on multiple charges stemming from an Idaho town hall incident.
What Comes Next
Coeur d’Alene detectives will continue coordinating with the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney as the re-examination moves forward. The outcome of Hansen’s Colorado proceedings may also factor into how North Idaho authorities proceed. Residents with any knowledge of Hansen’s activities in the Coeur d’Alene area are urged to come forward and contact local law enforcement.